cories + ? = AWESOME

mister ben

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Jan 22, 2005
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I currently have a 10 gallon with 5 panda cories in it and I'm searching for a few tankmates to go with them. I really don't care if it is a schooling fish or more of a "feature" fish as long as it has personality and a bold appearance. These fish would preferably be peaceful, swim in the top to middle areas of the tank, enjoy mild currents, and most importantly, not bother my cories. I guess I should mention that I'm not exactly married to any one piece of criteria in particular, just a nice average of them all would be nice. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

I know this type of question is common here, but I am now beggining to appreciate its validity.

Thanks.
 
I love my 6 tiger barbs. I don't know if they would fit in a 10 gallon, but if you got a mixture of green, regular and albino tiger barbs, it would look really nice. I second the Blue Rams, I saw a couple at PetCo, and they looked real nice, real vibrant colors.
 
I'll second a betta. It meets all of your criteria. Personality, bold appearance (and any color you can dream of), peaceful with cories, will swim all over a 10 gallon, usually toward the middle on average in a 10 gallon, appreciates mild currents (and can adapt to stronger currents given time), and most importantly, it won't bother your cute cories! A Dwarf gourami would also fit the bill as a feature fish and is about the same on all the qualities listed above. As for a group that fits the bill, most schoolers want groups of 6 or more, really, and with the 6 cories already, it gets a bit tough to squeeze in that many fish into a 10 gallon without it getting a little into dangerous territory as far as water quality is concerned. With a single feature fish you are looking at a tank that is well stocked and easier to maintain. Also, as a side note, do you have plants?
 
I would not get kribs - they have been known to terrorize corys, as they inhabit the lower regions and can be territorial
 
You could also go for a small school of say 4 or 5 White Clouds. They are very peacefull but do not exhibit much personallity and would not give you the bold appearance as say a betta.

A betta will give you a very bold appearance in both color and size and will live happily in a 10g tank. In addition to that, it is as peacefull of a fish as you will find and maintains a "hangout area" of middle to upper regions of your tank. Combine THAT with the schooling and bottom dwelling natures of the cories and I think you have a great combination.
 
I didn't think of white clouds. That could be interesting, honestly. He'd just want to keep the thermostats on the heaters down in the low to mid 70s. Personally, I really wanted some white clouds for my tank, but I was worried about the summer time temps in the living room. It can get to an ambient temp of 83 in here before the air conditioner really goes to work and snice I set up this tank this winter, I do not know what my summer temps will be like. Still, interesting thought, gsk.
 
Ive keep mine in the high 70's and have read that they prefer 75ish. I do not think they are very particular in what temp they are housed in. Mid 70's should not be a concern to most aquariasts.
 
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